Apparatus for forging



14, 1943- w. F. BOBER ETAL 2 ,449;365

APPARATUS FOR FORGING 'Filed Dec. 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR I WALTER F. BOBER FRANK E. SEBRING ATTORNEYS I Sept. 14, 1948. w. F. BOBER ET AL 2,449,365

APPARATUS FOR FORGING Filed Dec. 14, 1945 v 4 4 Sheets-Sheet z FIG.4

///A X z 7o 12 INVENTOR WALTER F "BOBER BY FRANK assamuq ATTORNEYS 7 p ,1948 w. F. BOBER ETAL 2,449,365

APPARATUS FOR FORGIN Filed Dec. 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheecwi:

INVENTOR- WALTER F. BOBER BY FRANK E.SEBI;I D I6 M MW ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 14, 1948 APPARATUS FOR FORGING Walter F. Bober, Cleveland, and Frank E. Sebring, Mount Gilead, Ohio, assignors to The Hydraulic Development Corp., Inc., Wilmington, Del., a

corporation of Delaware Application December 14, 1945, Serial No. 634,989

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to forging methods and apparatus and is particularly concerned with a method and apparatus for continuous forging.

In the forging art it has long been desired to develop a method of forging continuously in order to increase the production rate of forging presses.

Heretofore, a successful continuous forging system has not been developed because of the difficulties of forging in a single stroke, of unloading the dies, of cooling the dies after the unloading thereof, and of supplying heated slugs to the dies.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus especially adapted for successfully forging workpieces in a continuous cycle.

It is another object to provide an apparatus for continuous forging which includes a turret type forging press.

Still another object is to provide a turret type forging press and an operating system therefor which enables the said press to be operated on a continuous cycle.

Still another object is to provide a means for preheating slugs to be forged immediately adjacent the die station which is to receive the slugs whereby there is a minimum loss of heat from the said slug in transferring it from the heating station to the forging station.

Still another object is to provide a full automatic forging press which operates continuously and in which the forging, ejecting, die cooling and loading steps are integrated into a synchronized and continuous cycle.

These and other objects and advantages become more apparent upon reference to the following specification taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a forging press constructed according to this invention and adapted for practicing the methods of this invention;

Figure 2 is a plan section taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 1 and showing the turret indexing mechanism;

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line '4-4 of Figure 2 and showing the slug heating and loading station;

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of Flgure 2 and shows the ejecting station;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a typical hydraulic actuating circuit for the main press 2 ram, the loading plunger and the ejector plunger; and

Figure '7 is a diagram of an electrical circuit adapted for controlling the circuit of Figure fi.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a press having a bed l0 and a head l2 interconnected by the strain rods l4, I6, and IS. The head l2 comprises the cylinder 20 within which is reciprocable the main ram 22 that has attached thereto the platen 24 which is slidably journalled on the aforementioned strain rods.

The ram 22 comprises an upper advancing means and a lower retracting means which are connected, respectively, by conduits 26 and 28 with opposite ports of a reversible variable delivery fiuid source 30. v

The platen 24 mounts a hardened sub-platen 62 which is adapted for engaging the upper surface of the upper half of the die set 32 which is in alignment therewith.

The die sets, of which six are shown, are car.- ried on a turret 34 which is journalled on the strain rod l4 and which restson the bedl0. Attached to the turret 34 within the bed I0 is an index plate 36 which, as shownin, Figure 3, comprises a six-slotted Geneva plate. Arranged in operative association with the Geneva plate is a rotating arm 38 which carries a roller 40 adapted for being closely received within the slots 42 of the Geneva plate. The arm 38 also carries an arcuate key 44 which fits the arcuate recesses 46 in the periphery of the Geneva plate 36 between the notches 42 thereof.

The arm 38 is mounted to be driven in rotation by a motor 48 which may be suitably geared down in order to give the proper indexing speed of the turret.

The aforementioned die sets 32 are better shown in Figures 4 and 5 wherein it will be seen that they comprise a stationary die half 50 and an upper die half 52 guided in relative reciprocation by the rods 54 and continuously urged apart by the springs 56.

The stationary die half 50 has a recess therein as at 58 and a movable bottom therefor indicated at 60. Following a forging operation the workpiece 62' which is formed between the bottom of the lower die half and the punch 64' of'the upper die half is removed by the actuation of the said movable die bottom.

The die bottom 60 is continuously urged into its Figure 5 position by a spring 66 which bears between the die half 50 and the collar 68 on the depending shank of the die bottom. To lift the die bottom upwardly to eject a workpiece, the

ejector plunger 70 may be actuated by the fluid motor 12 connected therewith. After ejection of a workpiece, the motor I2 returns the plunger "I to its Figure 5 position and the spring 68 returns the die bottom 60 to its Figure 5 position.

For supplying heated slugs to the dies, there is provided a heating station at I4 which preferably comprises a vertical passageway I6 of a size to receive the slugs to be heated and having a coil I8 wound therearound in order to heat the said slugs by electromagnetic induction. It has been found that by adjusting the supply of energy to coil I8, the slugs may be progressively heated from one end of the passage I6 to the other until they emerge therefrom at the proper forging temperature.

Directly beneath the lower openingof the. passage I6 is a table 80 on which is reciprocable a pusher 82 by a fluid motor 84. When the fluid motor 84 is actuated to move the pusher toward the right, the lowermost slug is pushed into the cavity 58 of the die set 32 adjacent to theheating and. loading station.

In order to assist in the ejecting of the workpiece from the die in the ejecting station, there may be provided an air jet 86 which supplies a blast of air. to blow the workpiece from the die bottom when the later is actuated upwardly.

After the workpiece has been ejected, it is desired to cool the diev before it again receives a heated slug. To this end, there is provided an arcuate pipe 88 which has therein jets or a slit directed to impinge on the dies as they pass between the ejecting station and the loading station. The perforated pipe at 88 is supplied with air under pressure and may be further supplied with a cooling liquid such as water if found necessary.

In Figure 6 is illustrated the hydraulic circuit for actuating the several rams of the press of this invention. The pump 30connected with the ram 22 is continuously urged by a spring 90 to deliver to; the under side of the said ram for lifting the platen 24. Energization of the solenoid SI is adapted through the linkage at, 92 to overcome the thrust of the spring 90 and to place the pump 30 into position to. deliver to the advancing side of the ram 22.

For actuating the ejector motor I2 and the loading motor 84, there is provided a pump 84 which delivers through a conduit 96 to the inlet of a four-way valve 98. that has the service ports I00 and I02, and the exhaust connection I04. A spring I06 continuously urges the valve member of the valve 88 into position to connect the conduits 96 and I00 so that pressure fluid from the pump- 94 is directed to the retracting sides of" the motor I2 and 84. Energization of the solenoid S2 moves the valve member of the valve 98 to connect the conduits 96 and I02 todirect pressure fluid to the advancing sides of' the motors I2 and 84 for actuating the rams thereof.

The solenoids SI and S2 are controlled by the electrical circuits shown in Figure 7. In Figure 7 there are the power lines LI and L2 between which are connected the contactor 0011's A, B, and C, the aforementioned solenoids SI andS2, and the indexing motor 48.

In series with the coil A are the normally closed contactor blades C2 of the contactor C and the normally open push button starting switch I08. The switch I08 is bypassed by the normally open blades. AI of the coil A and the normally open limit switch LSI, the later being actuated into a closed position by the cam IIO on the platen 4 24 when the said platen is fully retracted. The limit switch LSI provides a connection selectively operable for accomplishing a full automatic cycle.

In series with the solenoid SI are the normally opened blades A2 of the contactor A, and in series with the solenoid S2 are the normally closed blades B2 of the. contactor B, and the normally open blades A3 of the contactor A. The contactor coil B is in series with the normally closed blades C4 of the contactor C, the normally open limit switch LS2 and the normally open limit switch LS3, the said limit switches being bypassed by the normally open blades BI of the contactor B.

The limit switches LS2 and LS3 are operated into their closed positions by their rams of the motors 84 and I2, respectively, when they are fully extended. Thus, when a workpiece has been ejected and a heated slug has been loaded into the die immediately ahead of the forging station, the contactor B is energized. Energization of B opens the blades B2 thereof and deenergizes the solenoid S2 thereby to permit the spring I06 to actuate the member of the valve 88 into its Figure 6 position to retract the motors I2 and 84.

After the platen 24 has engaged the dies and a predetermined pressure is built up on the advancing side of the ram 22, the pressure switch III connected with the said advancing side is closed and, having blades in series with the coil C, energizes the latter. The blades of the aforementioned pressure switch are bypassed by the blades CI of the contactor C and the limit switch LS4 in series therewith. Energization of the contactor C closesthe blades CI thereof to provide a holding circuit for the contactor opens the blades C2 to deenergize contactor A and solenoid SI to commence the retracting stroke of the press ram, closes the blades C3 to energize the indexing motor 48 for indexing the turret, and opens the blades C4 to deenergize the contactor coil B.

Optionally, the ram. 22 may be reversed in response to the attainment thereof of a predetermined position rather than by the attainment of a predetermined pressure on the advancing side thereof.

With the indexing motor 48 energized, the arm 38 rotates and drives the. index plate 36 and therethrough the turret 34. When the arm 38 has completed one revolution indexing the turret one step, the cam I I2 engages and opens the limit switch LS4 to deenergize the contactor coil C and, therefore, the motor 48. The inertia of the motor 48 will carry the cam II2 slightly beyond the limit switch LS4 so that the latter again closes and the indexing motor circuit is prepared for its next cycle.

During the indexing of the turret the platen 24 is retracting, and if the limit switch LSI is adjusted to be engaged by the cam I I0, anew press cycle will be instituted immediately.

It will be apparent that this invention affords a method of forging in a continuous cycle which results in increased production of a forging press and the dies therefor. This invention also provides an apparatu for carrying out a continuous forging method in which the several steps of the method are positively synchronized by a central control system.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to different usages and conditions and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

' We claim:

1. A forging press for carrying out continuous forging operations comprising; a workpiece heating,and-die loading'station; a forging station; a workpiece ejecting and die unloading station; and a die cooling station; a plurality of forging dies; a turret mounting said dies; and means for indexing said turret to bring said dies successively into each of said stations, said die cooling station comprising an air blast pipe extending around the periphery of said turret so as to be effective onia plurality of dies at one time.

2, In a forging press for carrying out continuous forging-operations; a pressframe; a workpiece heatin station and die loading station carried on said frame; a forging station comprising a press ram carried in said frame; a workpiece ejecting and die unloading station; a die cooling station comprising an air blast; a plurality of forging dies comprising relatively movable die portions; a turret rotatable in said frame for mounting said dies; means for indexing said turret successively to position said dies in said stations; and control means integrating the operation of said several stations, said die cooling station extending circumferentially around said turret so as to be effective on a plurality of dies at one time.

3. In a forging press for carrying out continuous forging operations; a press frame; a workpiece heating station and die loading station carried on said frame; a forging station comprising a press ram carried in said frame; a workpiece ejecting and die unloading station; a die cooling station comprising an air blast; a plurality of forging dies comprising relatively movable die portions; a turret rotatable in said frame for mounting said dies; means for indexing said turret successively to position said dies in said stations; and control means including positionally responsive means for positively integrating the operation of the several work stations, said die cooling station comprising a perforated pipe extendin arcuately around the periphery of said turret so as to be effective on all of the dies between said unloading station and said loading station.

4. A forging press adapted for carrying out continuous forging cycles comprising a press frame; a workpiece heating station comprising an induction coil carried by said frame; die loading means comprising means for transferring a heated workpiece from said heating station to a die; a forging station comprising a ram reciprocable by fluid pressure in said frame; a workpiece ejecting and die unloading station; a die cooling station; a plurality of dies; a turret mounting said dies; means comprising a Geneva plate and a rotatable index arm for indexing said turret to bring the dies carried thereby successively into said stations; means for energizing said ram to perform a pressing stroke; means responsive to the energization of said ram for energizing said loading means and said ejecting means; means responsive to the completion of the working stroke of said loading and ejecting means for deenergizing the same; and means responsive to the completion of the Working stroke of said ram for (lo-energizing the same and for energizing said index arm.

5. In a forging press for carrying out continuous forging operations; a plurality of dies comprising die halves continuously urged apart; turret means carrying said dies; a die loading station for supplying heated workpieces to said dies;

aforging station comprising'a reciprocable ram adapted for engaging one of said die halves and for moving it toward'the other thereof under pressure; a'workpiece ejecting and die unloading station; a die cooling station comprising a continuous air blast; indexing means energizable to index said turret; means for energizing said ram for movement thereof on a working stroke; means responsive automatically to the energization of said ram for energizing said loading station to supply a heated workpiece to the adjacent die, and said ejecting station to discharge the workpiece la'st forged from its die; limit means responsive to the completion of the working operation of both of said loading and ejecting stations for de-energizing the same to return them to their idle positions while continuing the energization of said ram; means responsive to the completion of the working stroke of said ram for deenergizing the same to return it to its idle position and also operable to energize said indexing means; and means for preventing energization of said ram, said loading station, or said ejection station during the energization of said indexing station.

6. In a forging press for carrying out continuous forging operations; a plurality of dies comprising die halves continuously urged apart; turret means carrying said dies; a die loading station for supplying heated workpieces to said dies; a forging station comprising a reciprocable ram adapted for engaging one of said die halves and for moving it toward the other thereof under pressure; a workpiece ejecting and die unloading station; a die cooling station comprising a continuous air blast; indexing means energizable to index said turret, means for energizin said ram for movement thereof on a working stroke; means responsive automatically to the energize.- tion of said ram for energizing said loading station to supply a heated workpiece to the adjacent die, and said ejecting station to discharge the workpiece last forged from its die; limit means responsive to the completion of the working operation of both of said loading and ejecting stations for de-energizing the same to return them to their idle positions while continuing th energization of said ram; means responsive to the completion of the working stroke of said ram for de-energizing the same to return it to its idle position and also operable to energize said indexing means; means for preventing energization of said ram, said loadin station or said ejection station during the energization of said indexing station; and means responsive to the completion of an indexing movement of said turret for deenergizing said indexing means thereby to permit the starting of a new cycle.

'7. In a forging press for carrying out continuous forging operations; a plurality of dies comprising die halves continuously urged apart; turrent means carrying said dies; a die loading station for supp-lying heated workpieces to said dies; a forgin station comprisin a reciprocable ram adapted for engaging one of said die halves and for moving it toward the other thereof under pressure; a workpiece ejecting and die unloading station; a die cooling station comprising a continuous air blast; indexing means energizable to index said turret; means for energizing said ram for movement thereof on a working stroke; means responsive automatically to the energization of said ram for energizing said loading station to supply a heated workpiece to the adjacent die, and said ejecting station to discharge ing means; means for preventing energization of 10 said ram, said loading station, or said ejection station during the energization of said indexing station; and means responsive to the completion of an indexing movement of said turret for deenergizin said indexing means and for again 15 2,372,605

energizing said ram to commence a new work cycle.

WALTER F. BOBER. FRANK E. SEBRING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS- Number Name Date 1,718,364 Kobert June 25, 1929 1,822,939 Stout Sept, 15, 1931 Ross Mar. 27, 1945 

